Engineer Interviews

Engineer Interview Questions

Engineers are responsible for designing and building products. In an interview context, expect to be quizzed on your technical skills, and also evaluated for your ability to work as a part of a team to get things built. The specific questions you are asked will depend on what type of engineering position you are looking for such as a specific engineering discipline like software engineer, electrical engineer, or mechanical engineer.

Top Engineer Interview Questions & How to Answer

Question 1

Question #1: What is the most challenging engineering project you've dealt with, and how did you ensure it was successful?

How to answer
How to answer: This question requires you to give a specific example. Ideally, you're able to choose a project that mirrors the type of work you'd do in the role you're interviewing for. Even if it's not your most challenging project, make sure you describe your obstacle(s) and the successful outcome clearly and enthusiastically.
Question 2

Question #2: In your current role, what steps do you take to avoid making mistakes?

How to answer
How to answer: Whether you have a formal process or not, list any specific measures you employ (i.e., digital tools, consulting with colleagues, etc.). Make sure your answer demonstrates a commitment to quality control, efficiency, and safety.
Question 3

Question #3: Describe a time you dealt with a difficult client or stakeholder.

How to answer
How to answer: This one also requires a specific example that demonstrates patience and good judgment. An employer is looking for evidence that you're able to confidently and calmly stand by your decisions. Share an example with a positive outcome.

840,786 engineer interview questions shared by candidates

Question was "Given a pattern and a string input - find if the string follows the same pattern and return 0 or 1. Examples: 1) Pattern : "abba", input: "redblueredblue" should return 1. 2) Pattern: "aaaa", input: "asdasdasdasd" should return 1. 3) Pattern: "aabb", input: "xyzabcxzyabc" should return 0.
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Software Engineer

Interviewed at Dropbox

3.9
Oct 18, 2014

Question was "Given a pattern and a string input - find if the string follows the same pattern and return 0 or 1. Examples: 1) Pattern : "abba", input: "redblueredblue" should return 1. 2) Pattern: "aaaa", input: "asdasdasdasd" should return 1. 3) Pattern: "aabb", input: "xyzabcxzyabc" should return 0.

Given an input string S write a function which returns true if it satisfies S = nT. Basically you have to find if a given string can be represented from a substring by iterating it “n” times. n >= 2 An example would suffice – Function should return true if 1) S = “abab” 2) S = “abcdabcd” 3) S = “abcabcabc” 4) S = “zzxzzxzzx” Function should return false if 1) S = “abac” 2) S = “abcdabbd” 3) S = “abcabcefg” 4) S = “zzxzzyzzx” It would be easy to understand if you can give an algo instead of saying use kmp or suffix tree or… I came up with O(n*n) solution. Wondered how to do in O(n)
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Software Engineer

Interviewed at Google

4.4
Mar 19, 2014

Given an input string S write a function which returns true if it satisfies S = nT. Basically you have to find if a given string can be represented from a substring by iterating it “n” times. n >= 2 An example would suffice – Function should return true if 1) S = “abab” 2) S = “abcdabcd” 3) S = “abcabcabc” 4) S = “zzxzzxzzx” Function should return false if 1) S = “abac” 2) S = “abcdabbd” 3) S = “abcabcefg” 4) S = “zzxzzyzzx” It would be easy to understand if you can give an algo instead of saying use kmp or suffix tree or… I came up with O(n*n) solution. Wondered how to do in O(n)

In front of you are three light switches. Only one does anything, and it turns on the light downstairs. From here you can't see the light, and it makes no sound. You must determine which switch operates the light, BUT you can only go check it once. How do you figure out which switch is for the light?
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Software Engineer

Interviewed at RTX

3.8
Mar 12, 2010

In front of you are three light switches. Only one does anything, and it turns on the light downstairs. From here you can't see the light, and it makes no sound. You must determine which switch operates the light, BUT you can only go check it once. How do you figure out which switch is for the light?

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